Russell Newbery Register Property Limited was incorporated on the 17th of December 2004. It is a non profit making company, limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 5316384.
Current directors are: Clive Henderson Steve Burt Rob Davies
The Property company owns the freehold of the industrial unit on the Royal Oak Industrial Estate in Daventry which the RN Diesel Engine Company leases.
On 8th May 2005 this was officially opened as the company's manufacturing, repair and spares centre. During the opening speeches, Mr. David Thirlby, stepson of the original company founder Frederick Russell, presented the RN Diesel Engine company with two tools which were used in the Altrincham works. The first item is a bench vice, extensive used by Fredrick Russell and then chief engineer Jack Bradbury. Many visitors to the Altrincham works remember this vice located under the flight of steps. The second item is a Smiths portable rev counter, in a presentation case. Using both of these tools in the renovation and manufacture of engines reinforces the strong heritage of Russell Newbery engines.
Russell Newbery Register Property Ltd.
The property company has close ties with but is legally separate from both the RN Register and the RN Diesel Engine Co. Ltd.
Address all enquires regarding the property company to: Rob Davies 55 Noddington Lane Whittington LICHFIELD Staffordshire WS14 9PA Phone and Fax: Email:
The Register's Property Project was launched at the AGM in June 2003 and reviewed at the following year's AGM in June 2004. In a nutshell, Register members were asked to lend the Register a sum of money - suggested at £1,000 each - in order to purchase suitable premises, in the name of the Register, in which R N Diesel Engine Co could fulfil its business aims and potential in a reasonable degree of comfort. The Company previously operated from the garage of the Chief Engineer, Allister Denyer, the chronic lack of space meant that opportunities to expand the business could not be exploited.
Following an initial mailshot to all members, sufficient funds to make the scheme viable were 'pledged' and enable the pursuit of business premises - a superb response. However, we found that we were considerably restricted in achieving a purchase due to the absence of having the funds 'in hand'. At the 2004 AGM we asked members to place their contribution into a separate RNR 'Property' bank account in order to enable us to move quickly if the right opportunity arose. This appeal, supplemented with another mailshot, enabled us to accumulate the funds required to proceed with a purchase.
Armed with a considerable slice of the monies needed we sourced a suitable property in Daventry, ideal for RN Diesels' purposes. We negotiated a purchase price and David Phillips, Chairman of the Register and MD of R N Diesel Engine Co Ltd, made up a shortfall. Therefore, if any Register members wish/are able to lend a sum in future, this will enable David's input to be reduced to a more proportionate level. The purchase was completed on the 21 December 2004 in the name of Russell Newbery Register Property Ltd. All ‘contributors’ are members of this new company. A series of work parties by a small group of volunteer members installed the required fixtures and fittings. The “Royal Oak Works” was handed over at an Open Day on Sunday 8 May 2005. This is a major achievement that all members can be justifiably proud of.
Moving to the new Works has enabled the RN Diesel Engine Co. Ltd. to expand to meet demand for new engines, auxiliary equipment and spare parts. In the second half of 2005 four brand new DM2 engines emerged from the Daventry works.
